I was walking around the front of the store when I saw four drunk guys stumble in. I made a mental note to avoid them. Drunk people in public always cause a scene or made some kind of mess.
I walked on to the frozen section. I opened a freezer door looking at the pre-made smoothie bowls when I heard glass shatter a few isles behind me.
Great, the drunks probably knocked over a whole shelf of bottles.
I walked down the aisle and peaked around the corner, ready to see liquor spewing onto the floor. Instead I saw a divine woman standing there staring at her shoes that were covered in glass. I looked over her shoulder and saw the drunk guys saying something to her. I could see she was shaking.
"Hey babe, did you find our wine?" I found myself asking her as I walked towards them
She turned around and looked up at me and asked "Huh?"
I ignored her cute confusion.
"Oh no, what happened? Are you okay?" I asked her concerned, I was afraid she had accidentally cut herself when the bottle broke
"No, the klutz dropped it. Who are you?" drunk #1 asked me
"I wasn't talking to you.." I said glaring at the grunge man
"Are you okay darlin?" I asked again meeting her eyes
"Ye-yes. My toes are just cold." she said in a soft angelic voice, with a sweet smile to match
Drunk #1 spoke up and said "I'll ask again. WHO ARE YOU?"
"I'm her fiance'." I said grabbing her and wrapping my arm around her waist, she felt so tiny tucked under my arm
She gasped and looked up at me, I winked back hoping she'd go with it.
"Oh so you're giving it out to anyone huh?" Drunk #1 said before looking back at his buddies chuckling
"You watch how you talk to or about my lady!" I said, puffing some venom in my voice. I hate scum, I wanted to obliterate his face into the ground under my boot
"You must have a death wish talking to me like that." Drunk #1 said smirking and puffing his chest out
He took a few steps towards us, she put her hand on his chest and got in between him and I.
"Luke. Just let it go. Please, your buddies are waiting on you. Looked like y'all were heading to a party or something. Don't want to be late." she whispered
"Yeah yeah. Just tell your new 'man' to watch it. I'll be seeing you Estelle." He spewed with a crude wink
Drunk #1 walked away, a few seconds later drunk #2,3 & 4 followed in tow.
I watched and made sure they paid before leaving the store.
Before I said anything to the little angel I had my arm wrapped around the intercom in the store announced 'spill in aisle 7. I repeat spill in aisle 7.'
"Thanks for coming to my rescue." she said blushing looking at her soaked feet
"No problem." I said as I tilted her head up with my finger under her chin
"Cain Grant. Nice to meet you." I said smiling when our eyes met
"I'm Estelle Logan, but most people call me 'Elle'." she said smiling back
"Excuse me, I'm here for the spill." a quiet voice said behind me
"Oh yes. I'm sorry, I'll pay for it." She said as we bent down and started to pick up piece of glass
"It's okay, it happens all the time." the man said with humor in his voice as he mopped around us
"You can put those in here." he said handing her a small garbage can for the glass pieces she collecting in her hand
"Thanks." she said smiling at him
She stepped out of her hoes and threw them in the same garbage can. She looked around confused. I picked her up bride style, grabbed my cart and headed towards the shoes.
"What are you doing?" she asked as I pushed my cart while still holding her
"Going to shoes. I don't want your feet to get even colder walking on this floor." I said
"Oh so you're a gentleman then?" she asked joking
"Sometimes.. But I can be naughty when I want to." I said without thinking
She closed my eyes and nuzzled into my chest a bit, I don't think she realized she did it.
After a few seconds she opened her eyes again and looked everywhere but up at me. I walked carrying her for a few seconds before stopping.
"Here we are m'lady." I said slowly setting her feet on the floor
"Thanks." She said as looked up and down the aisle for my size
*****
"Thanks again for helping me...with my ex and taking me to the shoes." She said blushing again
"No problem. Happy I could help out." I said smiling back
"If I may ask, was your ex always like that? If so, I can see why you aren't together anymore." I asked passively
"He wasn't always like that. He started out perfect. And when he proposed I was so happy. But as the wedding date got closer and closer everything spiraled out of control.
The day drinking started, then the arguments and then the full blown fights. Everything crashed down so fast. I couldn't stay any longer. Even if I was still in love with him. It wasn't enough anymore. Today's the first time I've seen him in 2 years."
"I'm sorry. Those situations are always hard. I'm glad you made it out in one piece." I said as I clenched my fists
"Yeah, me too." She said looking nervous
We stood there a few minutes in silence, both caught in our own train of thoughts.
"Well I should get going, I'm really late." she said holding up the bottle of wine
"Yeah me too. Nice to meet you Elle." I said smiling
"Nice to meet you too, Cain." She said before walking out the stores automatic doors
We got to the curb and looked both ways before stepping out into the parking lot. When I got to my car I realized Elle was parked right next to me. We both smiled and giggled as we realized.
I watched out of the corner of my eye as she put the wine on her passenger seat and then walked swiftly around to the driver door.
She stopped right before her door and looked over at my car. I looked down at my steering wheel. She came over and knocked on my passenger window, I rolled it down halfway.
"Everything okay?" She asked bending down to be level with my window
"Yeah. Just making sure you got in your car okay." I said leaning on my arm rest towards her
"Thanks." she said, and then stood up
I rolled up my window again and looked back down at my steering wheel.
She knocked on the window again.
"Hey sorry to bother you again." she said looking innocent
"No bother, darlin." I said grinning
"Want to come to a New Years party?" she asked unsure
"You going to be there?" I asked beaming
"Yeah... my cousin asked me to get wine. That's the reason I'm even out." she said giggling
"Lead the way m'lady and I'll follow." I said motioning towards her car
"Okay." she answered
YOU ARE READING
Misery & Fate
Romance*COMPLETED 09/24/24* Elle- I was trying to let my past go. To escape and never look back. It's never that easy though... is it? Cain- It all started with a trip to the store, met with a helping hand, grew with a kiss and ends.... **TRIGGER WARNING**...
